What happened
On 1 August 2006, a Pitts S-2A Special, registration G-ODDS, was taxiing at White Waltham Airfield following an aerobatic training session. While the aircraft was moving toward the fuel pumps, the student pilot suddenly became nauseous, causing a momentary distraction for the instructor. As the aircraft approached the first line of parked aircraft, the instructor turned his attention to the right to check for clearance and to monitor the student's condition. During this maneuver, the G-ODDS collided with a parked and unoccupied Cessna 150 located at the end of Line One.
The investigation
The investigation examined the airfield layout and the cockpit environment at the time of the impact. It was noted that Line One at White Waltham is longer than the other parking rows and lacks a marker board at its start. The investigation also looked into the visibility constraints inherent to the aircraft type. The instructor noted that the forward view in the Pitts S-2A Special is significantly obstructed, making it difficult to maintain a proper lookout without specific maneuvering techniques, such as weaving the nose of the tail-wheeled aircraft.
Findings
- The collision was caused by a combination of pilot distraction and inadequate lookout.
- The instructor was distracted by the student pilot's sudden illness.
- The instructor's attention was focused primarily to the right to check for clearance and monitor the student, resulting in an insufficient lookout to the front and left.
- The extended length of Line One, combined with the lack of a marker board, contributed to the incident.
- The Cessna 150 sustained damage to its left wing leading edge, propeller, and engine due to shock-loading.
- The G-ODDS sustained damage to its propeller, engine, pitot head, and both the left upper and lower wings.
Safety action
Following the accident, the marker board at the beginning of Line One was replaced to improve airfield navigation.